West Springfield proposal to increase term of mayor sent to Legislature

Updated June 27, 2016 at 2:17 PM;Posted June 27, 2016 at 1:07 PM

brian griffin screenshot.jpg

"It is moving forward within the State House and we expect it will see some action," West Springfield Town Council Vice President Brian J. Griffin, pictured above, said, referring to proposed legislation that would increase the term of mayor in West Side from two to four years.
(West Springfield Town Council / Livestream Screenshot)

"It is moving forward within the Statehouse and we expect it will see some action," West Springfield Town Council Vice President Brian J. Griffin told his colleagues on the council at a recent meeting.

If state lawmakers approve the special legislation, the proposal could be put on the ballot for a town-wide vote by early fall, according to West Side officials.

The legislation was crafted after the Town Council voted in May to proceed with the measure, which would extend the term of all subsequent mayors beginning in January 2018. The legislation would not extend the term of current Mayor William C. Reichelt, who began his two-year term six months ago.

"Mayor Reichelt is not grandfathered by this motion," Griffin said. "It is for the next mayor, who would be sworn in in January 2018."

However, if Reichelt runs for re-election and wins, he would serve his first four-year term as mayor.

Griffin said the measure was sent to state Rep. Michael J. Finn and state Sen. James T. Welch, both Democrats from West Springfield. Finn brought the legislation to the House counsel, who tweaked the wording slightly.

"Nothing changed substantially or substantively," Griffin said. "It was just the House counsel saying we'd like to use this word instead of that word."